Once you have decided on a career as a heating and cooling professional, the next action is to look for an HVAC technical school near Perrysburg OH. But with so many to select from, how do you choose the right one to get the training that you need? Many potential students will make their choice based exclusively on the cost of tuition or how close the school is to their home. While these are relevant factors to consider, they are not the only ones to take into account. Some of the other details that you need to look into are the graduation rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. These and additional benchmarks will be addressed in more detail later in this article. But before we tackle how to select an HVAC vocational school, let’s take a look at what a heating and a/c technician does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

[campusexplorer header_text=”Find HVAC Training Schools Near You!” aos=”53237562″ concentration=”16D42C74″ tracking=”HVAC-D”]

Becoming an HVAC Contractor in Perrysburg OH

HVAC is an acronym that is frequently used in the trade that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC professionals specialize in the installation, repair and maintenance of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are generally required to be licensed, however every state and local municipality has its own criteria. Attaining professional certification is not mandatory, but an optional way for Perrysburg OH HVAC technicians to prove that they are exceptionally skilled and accomplished in their area of expertise. There are several acknowledged certifications within the field that are offered. Below are a few of the significant ones.

• North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is attained by passing a competency exam and can be acquired in one or more specialties.
• HVAC Excellence. This certification offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of professional experience together with passing a comprehensive exam are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have three years of experience in addition to a passing score on the professional level examination. Similar to NATE, certifications are offered in multiple specialties.
• EPA Section 608. This certification is required for technicians that work with refrigerants. There are three forms of certification obtainable, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Considering that licensing may be required in your location, and you may also wish to acquire certification, it’s essential that you enroll in an HVAC technical school that will train you for both. And since you will more than likely be working with refrigerants, make sure that the program you decide on preps you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Training Programs

There are several options offered for HVAC training in a technical or vocational school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Acquiring a certificate will take the minimum amount of time, typically completed in just six months, however some programs are longer. A certificate will train you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification applicable to the position. The degree training programs may provide a competitive edge in the job market and will deliver more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Below is a brief summary of each credential offered near Perrysburg OH.

• Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among beginning residential or commercial HVAC technicians. They provide a solid foundation of skills for job opportunities within the industry.
• Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program provides a more exhaustive understanding of heating and a/c systems than the certificate program. Typically requiring 2 years to finish, many degrees incorporate an internship or work-study program.
• Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is tailored more for a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs require an Associate Degree, while others are a conventional 4 year program. In addition to mastering how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Picking the appropriate credential program will be based on what your future career goals are, as well as the time and financial resources that you have to commit. One possibility is to begin with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the trade in Perrysburg OH, subsequently going back to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your strategy, make sure to ask the HVAC technician school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Courses

Enrolling in an HVAC program online is one option to attaining your training and earning a certificate or degree. Nearly all schools will call for some attendance on campus to participate in hands on training. Many also offer internship or work-study programs in addition to or as an alternative to practical lab work. But since the remainder of the classes can be attended via the internet, this alternative may be a more accessible solution for some Perrysburg OH students that are short on time. And many online degree programs are more economical than other on campus alternatives. Even commuting expenses from Perrysburg and study materials can be minimized, helping to make education more budget-friendly. And numerous online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your career or family commitments have left you with limited time to attend classes, maybe an HVAC online training program will make it less complicated to accommodate school into your busy lifestyle.

Questions to Ask HVAC Certification Classes near Perrysburg OH

When you have picked the type of degree or certificate that you desire to obtain, either on campus or online, you can begin to decrease your list of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are a large number of HVAC vocational schools in the Perrysburg OH area and throughout the United States to pick from. That’s why it is essential to have a list of important qualifiers when making school comparisons. As formerly mentioned in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will probably be the initial 2 variables you will take into consideration. Following are some additional ones that you need to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  A large number of HVAC trade programs in the Perrysburg OH area have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as HVAC technology. Confirm that the school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited schools. Additionally, some states require that the HVAC training course be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Air Conditioning schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate may suggest that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It might also indicate that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which can produce more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of Perrysburg OH HVAC employers to help students secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of HVAC training programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of Heating and Cooling companies or labor unions. Check if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with local Perrysburg OH HVAC contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the HVAC technician you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Perrysburg OH HVAC company if they can give you some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Perrysburg OH residence. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there can be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with several of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with a few of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Perrysburg OH, confirm that the schools you are looking at provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family emergencies.

Attending HVAC School near Perrysburg OH?

Enroll in the Right HVAC Training Classes near Perrysburg OH

Picking the ideal HVAC training course is a critical beginning toward a gratifying career in the heating and cooling field. As we have addressed in this post, you should select a vocational school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the HVAC profession. Other things to search for are plenty of hands-on training and state-of-the-art facilities. You need to check out each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to inspect the campus and speak with both the current students and faculty. Try to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. Additionally, ask about scheduling choices and whether or not night or weekend classes are available if needed. And remember to inquire about financial aid and student loan options too. If you ask the proper questions as we have detailed in our guidelines for comparing schools, you’ll be able to filter your options so that you can make an educated decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and dedication, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC contractor in Perrysburg OH.

More Fabulous Cities in Ohio

Business Results 1 - 10 of 70

Maumee Valley Heating & Air Conditioning

3 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

2740 Nebraska Ave, Toledo, OH 43607

Brian Johns Heating & Air Conditioning Inc

6 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

734 Phillips Ave, Toledo, OH 43612

ThermoPro Heating and Cooling

2 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair

Phone:

W State Line Rd, Toledo, OH 43612

Voegeli Heating & Air Condtng

2 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

2102 Eastgate Rd, Toledo, OH 43614

Calverley Heating & Cooling

2 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

402 W John St, Maumee, OH 43537

Perrysburg Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning

3 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1620 Waters Edge Dr, Perrysburg, OH 43551

Action Heating & Air

2 Reviews

Electricians, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair

Phone:

501 E Central Ave, Toledo, OH 43608

Pugh Heating & Air Conditioning

2 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning

Phone:

6400 Hamilton Dr E, Holland, OH 43528

Rick's Affordable Heating & Cooling

2 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

25571 Fort Meigs Rd, Ste F, Perrysburg, OH 43551

Aw Heating & Cooling

3 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

8055 Heller Rd, Whitehouse, OH 43571

 

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Perrysburg OH 43551 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.